The Musical Road Trip of American Rock & Roll continues… 1965–1975
Taught by Peter Elman, musician, author and teacher
This six week music history class is designed to piggyback on Rock & Roll Road Trip Part One, that covered the Golden Age of American rock & roll from 1955 to 1970, from New Orleans to Memphis and New York City to the Motor City. Rock & Roll Road Trip Part Two will be taught chronologically and geographically from New York to LA to San Francisco where key American musical movements sprang up. This six-week course will explore iconic artists, singer/songwriters, and guitarists playing surf-rock, folk-rock, pop-rock, country-rock and early psychedelic rock.Rock & Roll Road Trip Part Two will incorporate lectures, photographs, recorded music, film clips, Q&A sessions, and the use of live music. Instructor Peter Elman will perform appropriate examples from each genre in class, playing piano and guitar. A suggested reading, listening and viewing list will be available.
California Dreamin’ 1965-74— LA became ground zero for surf rock, folk-rock, pop rock, country-rock and the beginnings of psychedelic rock: the Beach Boys, the Byrds, the Mamas and Papas, the Righteous Brothers, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Wrecking Crew studio band, Arthur Lee and Love, the Doors, and the short-lived but long remembered Buffalo Springfield.
Hitch a ride up the Coast Highway : the San Francisco sound 1965-71: A look at the psychedelic and not-so psychedelic rock of the City by the Bay: Rolling Stone magazine, Bill Graham, rock art posters, Janis Joplin, the Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, Credence Clearwater, Quicksilver, Santana, Boz Scaggs, Moby Grape, the Electric Flag, and the master, Jimi Hendrix.
Back to the beach: LA Singer-Songwriter, softer rock, 1968-73: This class is a tribute to the singer/songwriters of Laurel Canyon who defined the mellow era and California cool: Crosby Stills and Nash, Carole King, the heartthrobs–James Taylor and Jackson Browne; the Canadian connection–Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, 24-track recording, harmonies and poetry.
East Coast Grit–the sounds of I-95, 1965-75: New York, New York: It wasn’t just the West Coast during this era that produced great rock and roll: The Lovin’ Spoonful, Simon and Garfunkel, The Young Rascals, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Laura Nyro, Don McLean and a breakdown of his ode to Buddy Holly.
The Great garage bands of the 1960’s: one hit wonders–and a few who lasted. Rediscover a roll call of 20 great instrumentals and garage hit/classics by groups and artists who had that one shining moment of rock and roll glory: The McCoys, Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, Tommy James and the Shondells, the Standells and many others.
The rock and roll “master of time and space”: a tribute to the late great Leon Russell He blazed out of Oklahoma in the late 1950’s and made a lasting imprint on the LA music scene in particular, and rock and roll in general. In this class we will look at his rich career as a studio musician, songwriter, singer, performer, and all-around legend.
Peter Elman has been a professional musician since 1963, working as a performer, composer, arranger, studio musician, recording artist and producer. He has worked with Nils Lofgren (Bruce Springsteen), Peaches & Herb, Grammy-winning writer/producer Rick Nowels (Stevie Nicks, Madonna, Celine Dion), country star Lacy J. Dalton, Tom Johnston(Doobie Brothers) and Stef Burns (Huey Lewis and the News), and has produced more than 30 albums. He was also a founding member of the popular Bay Area band Pride & Joy. Elman has worked on film, television and national advertising campaigns, and in the 1990s released four acclaimed solo instrumental albums.